The saga continues..... Sorry for boring you with my battle of wits with this buck, but this is getting really unbelievable. This morning I decided to setup where my first encounter happened with this guy. Right at the bottom of the creek bottom between two bedding areas and a hay field behind me. I've had pics of some big bucks in the past here and right where I saw him a few days ago. Really nice little funnel. About 10 minutes after shooting light I look behind me and to the right and there he is. Walking along the woodline in the hay field 150 yards away. He walks all the way down the woodline freshining about 5 scrapes and tearing up a couple trees along the way. I'm watching him with my binocs. He dips into the bedding area I'm hunting (other end) and walks right by my stand I was pinned down in yesterday with him. A few grunts and rattles but nothing. Not that I expected anything because I must have grunted at him145,718 times in the 16 hours I've sat there watching him bed down this week. Unfreaking believable! I have 3 1/2 days left of bow to get it done. I know the area I'm going to be concentrating the next 3 days that's for sure. Just don't know where exactly the heck to setup anymore. He is giving it to me pretty good. Also, I don't like my chances of seeing him roam around during light as much as I've seen him this week. I hope that wasn't my last chance at him.
Man, this saga sucks. Tell you what, you hunt the 1st spot and put me in the 2nd spot. Together we will get him.. I sure hope you nail this dude.
Just a thought and maybe a good idea for last day strategy....... Your last encounter I believe you said that he saw does that finally made him get up and leave to go after them. Any chance you can head to Gander Mountain (or the like) and pick up a decoy, and have it setup with you downwind well before light?
You should have tried the snort-wheeze that was suggested to you yesterday. Honestly this is the single time of the season when the snort-wheeze is absolute gold. The smaller bucks may shy away, but the big boys are simply not going to tolerate someone else challenging them in their domain with hot does to be found. The bruiser I shot last season got by me initially due to an equipment malfunction and I was forced to try to get him back in range. He was un-interested in grunting and rattling, but when I gave him a snort wheeze he bristled up like a porcupine and came back in a stiff-legged gait and gave me a 35 yard shot.
You're becoming more and more a fan of cloning, aren't you :D Good luck, I'm enjoying the saga...at least you are seeing a good buck
Well I have two choices this afternoon and I'm scared of what might happen. Being he's bedding in the same area I was set up yesterday and got pinned all day. I could either climb that same stand I was in in the morning (where he has to be close to). Or I could go setup where I saw him head when he got up last night and hope he ventures that way again (if he even gets up or is still there). I'm sure I know whatever stand I get in, I'll see him head towards the other (according to this guys history with me lol). Good wind for both stands.. hmmmmmmmmmm
Mr. sleepy 9 lives another day. No sighting of him this afternoon. Back on him in the AM where I've seen him the most. Hope to God I haven't pushed the envelope and mucked up this area by overhunting it. Kind of had that feeling tonight like my chances were there and are now gone. Only 3 days left I guess no sense of giving the area a break.
